Three armed men shot Mexicali event promoter Julio César Mayoral Carrillo on Friday afternoon in the city’s Popular 6 de Enero neighborhood, firing at least 15 rounds at him before fleeing in a dark Honda Pilot. Mayoral, 45, was struck once in the back and transported to a private hospital. No arrests have been made.
The attack occurred around 6:26 p.m. at the intersection of Lago de Chalco and Lago de Cuamecuaro streets. Agents from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), Baja California’s state investigative police, secured the scene and opened a criminal probe.
Failed Festival and Mounting Debts
Mayoral had recently drawn public attention for organizing the Verano Fest Cachanilla, a multi-week concert and entertainment festival held at the Isla de las Estrellas venue inside Mexicali’s FEX fairgrounds. The event was abruptly cancelled on May 26 after what organizers described as mounting logistical failures and poor ticket sales.
Ticket holders were promised refund details by June 5. It remains unclear whether those refunds were issued. According to Semanario ZETA’s Mexicali correspondent, Mayoral had also developed a close relationship with Mexicali’s city government through his event promotion work.
Investigators Eye Financial Fallout
Authorities have not confirmed a motive. Unofficial sources cited by multiple Mexican outlets say Mayoral faced significant debts tied to the Verano Fest cancellation and other failed events. Investigators are examining whether the financial fallout from those debts triggered the attack.
One source, El Congresista, reported the number of shots fired at more than 15, describing the assault as a targeted hit carried out by multiple gunmen. La Voz de la Frontera confirmed the same detail about the volume of gunfire.
The Popular 6 de Enero neighborhood sits in eastern Mexicali, a largely residential area south of the Río Nuevo. Residents can expect a continued AEI and municipal police presence in the area as the investigation proceeds.
Mayoral was alive when paramedics arrived and was taken to a private hospital. His current medical condition has not been publicly updated by authorities or family members.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte and confirmed by Semanario ZETA and La Voz de la Frontera.